Making of a modern power systems software

This talk explores the evolution of VeraGrid (formerly GridCal), a power-system simulation tool, over the past decade; From its humble and simple beginnings to a fully integrated software capable of performing all power-system calculations, ranging from electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations to multi-year investment planning.

Throughout its development, the software has undergone seven major refactors to accommodate new functionalities. As the system evolved, the effort required for each refactor decreased, highlighting an organic, evolutionary structure shaped by practical needs and use cases.

I will discuss the challenges and insights gained during this evolution, focusing on how we integrated static network models, time-series data, transient analysis, and long-term planning. Additionally, I will cover how we overcame the challenges of multi-binary pitfalls and ensured seamless interaction between these diverse functionalities.

This session will provide an overview of how these continuous improvements have produced an open-source tool that bridges the gap between research, operational applications, and long-term infrastructure planning. See: https://github.com/SanPen/VeraGrid